30 March, 2008
Weekend Decemberists: O Valencia
Labels: music, Portland Rock, Weekend Music
~~ victoria on 12:59 PM ~~ 0 comments
22 March, 2008
Weekend REM: These Days + Bonus Link
This is one of my favourite songs off of an album that is made up entirely of favourite songs. I cannot play Life's Rich Pageant and not dance wildly around and sing (badly) along with every song.
This particular clip is a live version of the song from their 1989 tour, where I saw them twice (for the Portland show, second row, center stage, thanks to my BFF Olivia, who got up at half-past ridiculous in the morning to wait in line for tickets). This was one of the best live shows I've ever seen. Michael Stipe had incredible energy, as did Bill Berry, Mike Mills and Peter Buck. Scott McCaughey from Young Fresh Fellows played keyboards on this tour as well, IIRC. Except for the moments where I stared longingly at Peter Buck's Rickenbacker guitar, I just could not take my eyes off of Michael Stipe all night. Simply amazing.
I thought about posting the video to Perfect Circle because it is such a hauntingly beautiful song. But, hey, links are nice too, aren't they?
Labels: music, rock 'n' roll, Weekend Music
~~ victoria on 4:49 PM ~~ 0 comments
02 March, 2008
Weekend Wilco: California Stars
This is one of my (many) favourite Wilco songs and it just kicks my ass when they play it live. Sadly, I missed the concert this was shot at. I had checked and checked their site for a Berkeley date and then figured it would be later in the year and forgot about it. I found out about the show exactly six hours before it was supposed to start. My friend, who is a huge Wilco fan (and knows I am as well), never bothered to tell me about it.
He is now dead to me.
Anyway, uh, enjoy! And also, never miss an opportunity to see these guys live! The current lineup is so fantastic (OMG Nels Cline is an amazing guitar player!). And have I mentioned that I have a HUGE crush on Jeff Tweedy? Oh, yeah, it looks like I may have mentioned it once or twice. (hee!)
Labels: music, rock 'n' roll, Weekend Music
~~ victoria on 5:01 PM ~~ 0 comments
17 February, 2008
Weekend Young Fresh Fellows: Picture Book
Still feeling some PNW nostalgia, but this week we'll go a bit farther north to Seattle. These guys did some great pop in that classic vein of the Kinks (an especially edgy Kinks, actually) and were one of the best live acts I've had the pleasure of seeing.
I'm pretty sure I was at this show! (I was resurfacing after a very horrible year right about this time.) And I most certainly have fond memories of Bohemia After Dark. (edit: I WAS at that show! Completely Grocery was on the bill and I remember seeing them open for YFF.)
Labels: music, rock 'n' roll, waxing nostalgic, Weekend Music
~~ victoria on 9:31 PM ~~ 0 comments
03 February, 2008
Weekend Dharma Bums: The Light In You
I know I've said this before, but Portland had one seriously awesome music scene in the mid-to-late 80's and early 90's (there is still some really great music coming from PDX, but I'm feeling nostalgic today). The Bums were my most favourite. I was so heartbroken when they broke up and for years held onto hope that they would come to their senses and get back together. As many times as I've been dumped in my life, I think THEIR breakup is the one breakup that I've never completely gotten over.
Fans of The Decemberists will recognize John Moen in this video. This was from their third and final album, "Welcome". Jeremy had cut off his hair by then but was still incredibly hot (as was Eric). John and Jim were, as always, ridiculously adorable. I had crushes on all of them at one time or another.
Hope you're on the mend, Jeremy!
Labels: music, Portland Rock, Weekend Music
~~ victoria on 3:33 PM ~~ 0 comments
27 January, 2008
Weekend XTC: Mayor of Simpleton
Because this song's been stuck in me head all week.
Labels: music, rock 'n' roll, Weekend Music
~~ victoria on 7:20 PM ~~ 0 comments
20 January, 2008
Weekend Who: So Sad About Us
This version, performed by Pete Townshend with Paul Weller, is one of my favourite versions of the Mod Who Classic, and one of the best moments of their Royal Albert Hall show (it totally made up for Bryan Adams completely effing up "Behind Blue Eyes").
Labels: music, rock 'n' roll, The Who, Weekend Music
~~ victoria on 9:31 PM ~~ 0 comments
24 September, 2007
Just Like That
So about a month ago I was at a party at my friend's house and they finally cajoled me into playing along on their PlayStation karaoke. Someone beat me to Queen's "Crazy Little Thing Called Love", so I went with "Hungry Like The Wolf"* by Duran Duran. After the opening riff I was immediately transported back to junior year in high school when I listened to their first two albums about nine million times and here I am a flaming Durannie all over again! I've rediscovered how much I love the Rio album and how it absolutely drips with their Chic (one of the best R&B/Disco bands, ever) influence. I can't keep Rio off of the CD player and have had "New Religion" on repeat for two days!
(*BTW, I'll brag here and report that I tied for first place in the karaoke game. Yay me!)
Labels: music, waxing nostalgic, Why it is
~~ victoria on 9:09 PM ~~ 0 comments
05 September, 2007
RIP Luciano Pavarotti
Damn. One of the greatest voices in my lifetime is silenced. He made opera so much more accessible to those of us who love music but weren't familiar with opera. Along with his beautiful tenor, he had such an infectious smile and seemed to have a really huge love of life.
I hope his suffering wasn't too great. My deepest condolences go to his family and all his fans.
Labels: in the news, music
~~ victoria on 10:03 PM ~~ 0 comments
31 March, 2007
WHEEEEEEE!!!!!!
WOOT!!!
Originally uploaded by Planet Vicster.
I'm going to see Morrissey!!! I'm going to see Morrissey!!! I'm going to see Morrissey!!! I'm going to see Morrissey!!! I'm going to see Morrissey!!!
~~ victoria on 1:14 PM ~~ 0 comments
21 January, 2007
R.I.P. Denny Doherty
One of my favourite 60's American/Folk bands was The Mamas and The Papas. They started off as one of my mom's favourite groups, but I remember, when I was a tiny tot hearing their songs on the radio, being absolutely mesmerised by the harmonies. There may have been other groups harmonizing in the 60's, but none did it as perfectly as The Mamas and The Papas. Listening to them as an adult, I "discovered" Denny Doherty's beautiful voice as he sang the male lead on their songs. Folksy, yes, but there is an unmistakable "Irish crooner" quality in his voice, too, clear and silky smooth.
Denny Doherty passed away late last week, after a brief illness. He will be missed, but, thanks to a catalog of great music, his voice will never be silenced.
Labels: music, waxing nostalgic
~~ victoria on 8:17 AM ~~ 0 comments
11 December, 2006
Say it ain't so!!!
My most beloved Portland band, Dead Moon, recently cancelled their "welcome back to Portland" gig (they had just finished touring Europe), as well as their upcoming New Year's Eve gig--which is something of a tradition for them. The rumours are flying that Dead Moon have broken up. If it's true, that makes me very, very sad indeed.
Labels: Dead Moon, music, Portland Rock
~~ victoria on 7:14 PM ~~ 0 comments
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OTHER THINKERS:
"I myself am made entirely of flaws, stitched together with good intentions."
--Augusten Burroughs
